The Nigerian passport has fallen by 38 places in a global passport ranking in the last 17 years.

This is according to the Henley Passport Index reports between 2006 and 2022 collated by The PUNCH

The Henley Passport Index ranks passports according to the number of countries their holders can access visa-free or with a visa-on-arrival programme.

Although the Nigerian passport gained 11 more destinations, it fell from 62nd in 2006 to 100th in 2022.




This shows a steady decline in strength amongst the 199 countries and 227 travel destinations studied.

While the green passport now grants visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 46 countries, up from the previous total of 35 in 2006, Nigerians cannot access over 181 travel destinations without a visa, visa-on-arrival or e-visa arrangement.


As of September 2022, travelers with Nigerian passports can only traverse 25 countries visa-free.


However, that number rises to at least 46 destinations when visa-on-arrival or e-visa programmes are added to the mix.

Countries offering visa-free, visa-on-arrival and e-visa access to Nigerians as of the time of this report include: Benin Republic, Burkina Faso, Cameroun, Cabo Verde, Chad, Comoros, Côte d’Ivoire, Djibouti, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique , Niger, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Togo, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Others include: Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives, Timor-Leste, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Suriname, Fiji, Micronesia, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

According to the Henley Passport Index which is based on data from the International Air Transport Association, a fall or improvement in ranking is the result of several factors.

They include the country’s efforts to strengthen its diplomatic relations with other nations and its efforts to modernise its visa processes and improve security measures at its borders.

example is the European Union and the ECOWAS.

“While we appreciate the work done by Henley & Partners, we are more concerned with deepening our passport technology to meet up with the standards of the ICAO; ensuring that our passport complies with ICAO guidelines.”


Okpu argued that Nigeria has been a public Key Directory of the ICAO since April 2009 and, therefore, sits in a respectable position in the comity of nations.

The Public Key Directory is a central repository for exchanging the information required to authenticate electronic Machine-Readable Travel Documents such as e-Passports, electronic ID cards and Visible Digital Seals.

Asserting the NIS’ position, Okpu said, “What we put more emphasis on here is our standing in the ICAO. When ICAO alerts us of any lapses with our passports, we get to work. Nigeria has been part of the Public Key Directory since 2009 and it took us complying with several passport security specifications to be reflected on that directory.


https://punchng.com/nigerian-passport-falls-by-38-places-in-global-ranking/

LoL

Why won't it fall when even Nigerians can't get the passport ? A Nigerian abroad will travel down to Nigeria jus to apply and get his passport. A Nigerian in Nigeria will travel to other states jus to apply and get his passport in lesser time than it till take despite paying extra. And if you are applying in lagos or Abuja, jus forget about getting it anytime soon

The ripple effect of Buhari’s disastrous administration.

But remember, ladies and gentlemen, that Tinubu wants to continue where Buhari stops.

Use your tongue and count your teeth.

You can see how our international image has been bastardized under someone who is just a coup plotter.

Now, imagine what it would be under a drug baron.

The world will yank us off.

Hei God!

Does that mean Nigerians can migrate to Rwanda without visa? Cos it looks like a promising country.

What are the chances?

Everything under Buhari and APC is negative. Seunmsg don't quote me.
Nlfpmod, Mynd44 this more of politics than travel!

One of the most worthless passports and one of the most annoying to get renewed

APC really ruined Nigeria.

It will never be well with Buhari and ApC

Does it mean that Mauritius, Mozambique, Lesotho and Iran are Visa free to Nigerian passport?